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Act 279 of 1995
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HORSE RACING LAW OF 1995

Act 279 of 1995

AN ACT to license and regulate the conducting of horse race meetings in this state with pari-mutuel wagering on the results of horse races and persons involved in horse racing and pari-mutuel gaming activities at such race meetings; to create the office of racing commissioner; to prescribe the powers and duties of the racing commissioner; to prescribe certain powers and duties of the department of agriculture and the director of the department of agriculture; to provide for the promulgation of rules; to provide for the imposition of taxes and fees and the disposition of revenues; to impose certain taxes; to create funds; to legalize and permit the pari-mutuel method of wagering on the results of live and simulcast races at licensed race meetings in this state; to appropriate the funds derived from pari-mutuel wagering on the results of horse races at licensed race meetings in this state; to prescribe remedies and penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.


History: 1995, Act 279, Imd. Eff. Jan. 9, 1996




The People of the State of Michigan enact:

DocumentTypeDescription
Section 431.301SectionShort title.
Section 431.302SectionDefinitions.
Section 431.303SectionOffice of racing commissioner; creation; powers and duties of racing commissioner.
Section 431.304SectionRacing commissioner; appointment; qualifications; individuals prohibited from wagering.
Section 431.305SectionRacing commissioner; oath of office.
Section 431.306SectionRacing commissioner; salary; appointment of deputy commissioners and state stewards as special deputies; powers and duties; employment of other personnel; record of proceedings and preservation of documents; annual report.
Section 431.306aSectionHorse racing advisory commission; creation; membership; appointment; terms; removal; chairperson; meetings; business at public meetings; writings subject to MCL 15.231 to 15.246.
Section 431.307SectionRules; security; sanctions; approval of certain extensions, additions, modifications, or improvements; compelling production of books, records, memoranda, data, and documents; removal of employee or official; compliance; failure of witness to appear or testify; false testimony as felony; penalty.
Section 431.308SectionIssuance of licenses; general classes; prohibition; limitation pari-mutuel wagering.
Section 431.308aSectionHolder of casino license; issuance of race meeting license; limitation.
Section 431.309SectionTrack license; issuance; validity; application; grant or denial of license; review; transfer to new racetrack owner; suspension or revocation of license; imposition of fine; appeal; prohibition.
Section 431.309aSectionToll-free compulsive gaming helpline number; posting.
Section 431.309bSectionPoint of sale device or automatic teller machine service located on license holder's premises; preventing access to cash benefits from Michigan bridge card; definition.
Section 431.310SectionThoroughbred or standardbred race meeting; live and simulcast horse races; race meeting license; application; filing; investigation to determine compliance.
Section 431.312SectionApplicant for license to conduct thoroughbred or standardbred race meeting; live racing and simulcast requirements; amended license.
Section 431.313SectionContracts with certified horsemen's organizations.
Section 431.314SectionGrant or denial of application for race meeting license; conditions for simulcast authorization; charitable organization; imposition of fine or revocation or suspension of license; notice; appeal; maintenance of account for deposit of money.
Section 431.315SectionStatement of receipts; filing; certification; availability to public; preparation; review; remittance of money due state or other entities; licensure of person and racetrack required.
Section 431.316SectionOccupational license; issuance; persons required to be licensed; exception; conditions to licensure; additional requirements; fingerprints; duties and responsibilities of trainer; suspension of occupational license; notice; hearing; appeal; license fee.
Section 431.317SectionLawful forms of pari-mutuel wagering; preapproval by racing commissioner required; use of totalisator or other device; commission retained by holder of race meeting license; definitions; retention and payment of breaks; payoff prices of tickets; "minus pool" defined; patron less than 18 years old prohibited; wagering to occur at licensed race meeting; prohibited conduct; felony; penalty; "act or transaction relative to pari-mutuel wagering on results of live or simulcast horse races" defined.
Section 431.318SectionSimulcast; authorization; permit; conditions; wagering; pools; providing equipment and simulcast signals to other licensees; fees; simulcasting other events prohibited; definitions.
Section 431.319SectionPayment into horsemen's purse account; disposition; distribution; payment of net commission on live and simulcast racing to the pari-mutuel horse racing disbursement account.
Section 431.319aSectionSurrender, revocation, or escrow of license; transfer of purse pool money.
Section 431.319bSectionMoney placed in escrow before effective date of amendatory act; use by September 1, 2017.
Section 431.319cSectionMichigan Harness Horsemen's Association; transfer and use of money.
Section 431.320SectionMichigan agriculture and equine industry development fund; payments to programs; carrying forward appropriated and allotted money; deposit in compulsive gaming prevention fund; rules; excess to the pari-mutuel horse racing disbursement account.
Section 431.320aSectionAllocation of tax.
Section 431.321SectionPolice, fire, and traffic protection.
Section 431.322SectionLicense fee and tax.
Section 431.323SectionAudits.
Section 431.324SectionProhibited dissemination of racing information.
Section 431.325SectionDisclosure of certain information; confidentiality.
Section 431.326SectionApplicability of act to county or state fairs or agricultural or livestock exhibitions.
Section 431.327SectionWagering prohibited; exception.
Section 431.328SectionAssessment or collection of tax or fees prohibited; exception.
Section 431.329SectionAiding, assisting, or abetting violation as misdemeanor; penalty.
Section 431.330SectionAdministration of drug or foreign substance.
Section 431.331SectionProhibited acts; violation as misdemeanor; penalty; exceptions.
Section 431.332SectionInfluencing or attempting to influence result of race or workout as felony; penalty.
Section 431.333SectionInformation regarding violation of MCL 431.330, 431.331, or 431.332; violation as misdemeanor; penalty.
Section 431.334SectionAdditional penalties.
Section 431.335SectionRepeal of MCL 431.61 to 431.88.
Section 431.336SectionEffective date.
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